Phys.org news tagged with:degree of freedomhttp://phys.org/
en-usPhys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine.Shedding light on untapped information in photonsConventional optical imaging systems today largely limit themselves to the measurement of light intensity, providing two-dimensional renderings of three-dimensional scenes and ignoring significant amounts of additional information that may be carried by captured light. For example, many photons traverse complex paths punctuated by multiple bounces prior to entering the aperture of a camera or other imager—a process through which these photons pick up information about their surroundings. Beyond such directional variability, light enjoys other aspects or degrees of freedom—including variations in propagation time, polarization state and spectral content, as well as wave-related properties such as coherence, diffraction and interference—all of which provide potential mechanisms by which light can acquire and convey information. Most of this information remains untapped today.http://phys.org/news/2015-05-untapped-photons.html
Optics & Photonics Mon, 25 May 2015 08:46:37 EDTnews351762388A study of possible extended symmetries of field theoretic systemsMany physical systems, from superfluids to pi mesons, are understood to be manifestations of spontaneous symmetry breaking, whereby the symmetries of a system are not realized by its lowest energy state. A consequence of spontaneous symmetry breaking is the existence of excitations known as Goldstone bosons, which account for the broken symmetries. Here the authors investigate systems with larger than usual amounts of broken symmetry.http://phys.org/news/2014-08-symmetries-field-theoretic.html
General Physics Fri, 15 Aug 2014 09:59:04 EDTnews327315517Magnetic charge crystals imaged in artificial spin iceA team of scientists has reported direct visualization of magnetic charge crystallization in an artificial spin ice material, a first in the study of a relatively new class of frustrated artificial magnetic materials-by-design known as "Artificial Spin Ice." These charges are analogs to electrical charges with possible applications in magnetic memories and devices. The research team's findings appear in the August 29 issue of the journal Nature.http://phys.org/news/2013-08-magnetic-crystals-imaged-artificial-ice.html
Condensed Matter Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:00:05 EDTnews296883576SkySweeper robot makes inspecting power lines easy and inexpensive (w/ Video)Mechanical engineers at the University of California, San Diego invented a robot designed to scoot along utility lines, searching for damage and other problems that require repairs. Made of off-the-shelf electronics and plastic parts printed on an inexpensive 3D printer, the SkySweeper prototype could be scaled up for less than $1,000, making it significantly more economical than the two models of robots currently used to inspect power lines.http://phys.org/news/2013-08-skysweeper-robot-power-lines-easy.html
Robotics Tue, 06 Aug 2013 13:59:53 EDTnews295016385Physicists can use their tools to help understand how, in real life, opinions form and changeSocial phenomena fascinate with their complexity, but are not easily understood. Pawel Sobkowicz, an independent researcher based in Warsaw, Poland, has developed a model to study the dynamics of normal people, called 'agents', and their response to a given piece of information, depending on their emotional state. In a study about to be published in the European Physical Journal B, the author shows that opinion dynamics differ depending on whether the agent is agitated or not.http://phys.org/news/2013-07-physicists-tools-real-life-opinions.html
General Physics Wed, 31 Jul 2013 10:56:39 EDTnews294486971The smallest puzzle in the worldThree pieces of less than 1 mm in size each may be put together to the probably smallest puzzle in the world. For production, researchers used LIGA2.X, a new process to manufacture microstructured casting molds at KIT's ANKA synchrotron source. Inexpensive series production is combined with highest precision on the microscale to produce e.g. components in watches, engines, or medical products. Now, large series of smallest parts can be injection-molded with highest accuracy. http://phys.org/news/2013-07-smallest-puzzle-world.html
Engineering Mon, 15 Jul 2013 09:30:01 EDTnews293098403Cheerful women are not associated with leadership qualities—but proud ones areWomen are perceived as being more willing to lead if they show that they are proud of their personal performance. If, however, they give a cheerful impression, they are judged to have less willingness to leadership roles than men who display similar emotions. This is one of the initial findings of a long-term project in which economic researchers at Technical University Munich are investigating the selection and assessment of leaders.http://phys.org/news/2013-06-women-leadership-qualitiesbut-proud.html
Social Sciences Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:05:50 EDTnews289562743WABIAN robot from Japan steps closer to human walk(Phys.org) —Researchers designing adult bipedal robots have faced a challenge in limitations in a robot's walking pattern. They seek ways to improve on designs to have robots move more naturally. Improving the walking function has been the goal of researchers at the Humanoid Robotics Institute at Waseda University in Japan. Last month, led by Professor Atsuo Takanishi, the team presented the results of their efforts at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) in Germany. What they achieved more closely replicates normal human foot movements than before. The Institute's researchers turned to their humanoid robot, WABIAN-2R (WAseda BIpedal humANoid - No. 2 Refined), which already had a flexible pelvis, and stretched knees. WABIAN-2R's feet also had the distinction of a curving arch and flexible toes, landing heel-first and lifting off at its toes, noted the IEEE Spectrum report. The robot is under 5 feet tall (148 cm), and weighs 64 kg (141 pounds), with 41 degrees of freedom.http://phys.org/news/2013-06-wabian-robot-japan-closer-human.html
Robotics Sun, 02 Jun 2013 08:30:01 EDTnews289373237New nerve and muscle interfaces aid wounded warrior amputeesSince 2000, more than 2,000 servicemembers have suffered amputated limbs. DARPA's breakthrough research with advanced prosthetic limbs controlled by brain interfaces is well documented, but such research is currently limited to quadriplegics; practical applications of brain interfaces for amputees are still in the future. In contrast, nerve and muscle interfaces allow amputees to control advanced prosthetics in the near term. Recent demonstrations may give Wounded Warriors hope that they can soon take advantage of these breakthroughs.http://phys.org/news/2013-05-nerve-muscle-interfaces-aid-wounded.html
Hi Tech & Innovation Fri, 31 May 2013 10:35:27 EDTnews289215309Nanotechnology transforms molecular beams into functional nano-devices with controlled atomic architecturesSemiconductor nanowires are quasi-one-dimensional nanomaterials that have sparked a surge of interest as one of the most powerful and versatile nanotechnological building blocks with actual or potential impact on nanoelectronics, photonics, electromechanics, environmentally friendly energy conversion, biosensing, and neuro-engineering technologies.http://phys.org/news/2013-04-nanotechnology-molecular-functional-nano-devices-atomic.html
Nanophysics Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:14:38 EDTnews284220866Festo builds BionicOpter—fully functional robot dragonfly (w/ Video)(Phys.org) —German technology company Festo has unveiled the BionicOpter, a fully functional robotic dragonfly. It can fly forwards, backwards, hover and even fly sideways—just like a real dragonfly. Its introduction marks another step forward in robotics engineering.http://phys.org/news/2013-04-festo-bionicopterfully-functional-robot-dragonfly.html
Robotics Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:50:02 EDTnews284031157NASA uses Leap Motion to move ATHLETE rover (w/ video)(Phys.org) —NASA representatives were at the 2013 Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco to show how the ATHLETE robot, a six-legged robot developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in southern California, can move via remote control with the Leap Motion device. Victor Luo and Jeff Norris, from the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, presided over the demo. Luo told the audience of game industry professionals:http://phys.org/news/2013-04-nasa-motion-athlete-rover-video.html
Space Exploration Mon, 01 Apr 2013 05:04:53 EDTnews284011463Ketchup turns somersaults: Scientists develop a numerical model of complex fluidsBlood, paint or ketchup are complex liquids composed of several different components. For the construction of pumps, or the improvement of technical processes scientists and engineers need description models. They make the special properties of such liquids predictable. Researchers at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen and the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich have developed such a model. They present it in the current issue of the journal Physical Review Letters.http://phys.org/news/2013-03-ketchup-somersaults-scientists-numerical-complex.html
Soft Matter Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:39:38 EDTnews281882369Phoenix rising: New video shows advances in satellite repurposing programInserting new capabilities into a satellite is no simple task. Doing so as that satellite hurdles through space 22,000 miles above the Earth is a bit more challenging still. DARPA's Phoenix program, which hopes to repurpose retired satellites while they remain in orbit, seeks to fundamentally change how space systems could be designed here on earth and then sustained once in space.http://phys.org/news/2013-01-phoenix-video-advances-satellite-repurposing.html
Space Exploration Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:43:04 EDTnews278152962Controlling particles for directed self-assembly of colloidal crystals(Phys.org)—Researchers from the NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology and the Johns Hopkins University have developed a technique to reliably manipulate hundreds of individual micrometer-sized colloid particles to create crystals with controlled dimensions. The accomplishment is an important milestone for understanding how to direct and control the assembly of microscale and nanoscale objects for nanomanufacturing applications.http://phys.org/news/2013-01-particles-self-assembly-colloidal-crystals.html
Nanophysics Fri, 18 Jan 2013 08:08:36 EDTnews277718892New physics in iridium compounds(Phys.org)—Unraveling the complexities of spin-orbital coupling could someday lead to new high-temperature superconductors and workable quantum computers via an elusive phase of matter called a "quantum spin liquid." Two groups of researchers utilizing x-ray beamlines at the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory are delving into the new physics required to develop just such a material.http://phys.org/news/2012-12-physics-iridium-compounds.html
Condensed Matter Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:47:30 EDTnews274607239LuminAR bulb lights path to augmented reality (w/ video)(Phys.org)—Are we moving closer to a computer age where "touchscreen" is in the room, but it is the counter, desktop, wall, our new digital work areas? Are we moving into a new form factor called Anywhere? Do we understand how locked up we are in on-screen prisons, and that options will come? The drive for options is strong at the MIT Media Lab, where its Fluid Interfaces Group has been working on some AR options, the "Augmented Product Counter" and the "LuminAR." The latter is a bulb that makes any surface a touchscreen. You can even use it to replace the bulb in a desk lamp with the MIT group's "bulb" to project images onto a surface. The LuminAR bulb is small enough to fit a standard light fixture.http://phys.org/news/2012-12-luminar-bulb-path-augmented-reality.html
Hi Tech & Innovation Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:33:16 EDTnews274368763NASA and IHMC develop robotic exoskeleton for space and possible use on EarthA new robotic space technology spinoff derived from NASA's Robonaut 2 project someday may help astronauts stay healthier in space and aid paraplegics in walking here on Earth. Robonaut 2, the first humanoid robot in space, currently is working with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. http://phys.org/news/2012-10-nasa-ihmc-robotic-exoskeleton-space.html
Space Exploration Fri, 12 Oct 2012 07:03:00 EDTnews269244161UC Davis team's piano system animates hands to do-re-mi (w/ video)(Phys.org)—Researchers from the University of California, Davis, have built an algorithm designed to create a computer-generated animation of piano-playing, showing finger placement and wrist motions. The novel part of all this is that the team's system takes an audio file and creates a piano-playing cartoon to match it, using sound to animate the piano-playing performance. The software can automatically generate a 3-D animation of piano-playing hands based entirely on the music input. Each chord in a piece translates into a finger position and hand motion. They have worked out an algorithm that carefully takes the position of every finger into account, even when that finger is not involved in the next chord.http://phys.org/news/2012-10-uc-davis-team-piano-animates.html
Computer Sciences Mon, 01 Oct 2012 05:20:01 EDTnews268286035Hexapod Robot wins engineers' high praiseIt has a fantastical, science fiction look, but its real-life applications for biomedical research have seen the Six Degree of Freedom Hexapod Robot win the SA Engineers Australia 2012 Excellence Award.http://phys.org/news/2012-09-hexapod-robot-high.html
Robotics Thu, 27 Sep 2012 08:32:58 EDTnews267953571Your next assembly lines may have Baxter robot doing pick-up (w/ Video)(Phys.org)—Rethink Robotics is introducing Baxter to the manufacturing sector with a note: Baxter can ignite a revolution in breaking down costs and safety barriers holding back automation in American manufacturing. The Boston-based company says the $22,000 (list price) robot is a fraction of the cost of traditional industrial robots "with zero integration required." Baxter has been expressly designed to work on assembly lines to perform menial tasks. Baxter has two arms, each with seven degrees of freedom, and a reach similar to that of a human, to take over the mindless menial tasks. It can load, unload, sort, pack, unpack, snap-fit, grind and polish. http://phys.org/news/2012-09-lines-baxter-pick-up-video.html
Robotics Tue, 18 Sep 2012 14:55:52 EDTnews267198938Paddle vs. propeller: Which competitive swimming stroke is superior? (w/ Video)(Phys.org) -- Two swimming strokes -- one that pulls through the water like a boat paddle and another that whirls to the side like a propeller -- are commonly used by athletes training for the Olympic Games. But elite swimmers and their coaches have long argued over which arm motion is more likely to propel an aquatic star toward a medal.http://phys.org/news/2012-06-propeller-competitive-superior-video.html
Engineering Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:27:23 EDTnews259338313Fujitsu develops power saving system control technology for container data centersFujitsu Laboratories today announced the development of a power conservation system control technology that reduces overall power consumption in container data centers by closely coordinating the operation of servers and air-conditioning (A/C) systems.http://phys.org/news/2012-04-fujitsu-power-technology-centers.html
Engineering Thu, 05 Apr 2012 08:45:57 EDTnews252834334Modeling the miniscule: High-resolution design of nanoscale biomolecules(PhysOrg.com) -- A key element of both biotechnology and nanotechnology is &#8211; perhaps unsurprisingly &#8211; computational modeling. Frequently, in silico nanostructure design and simulation precedes actual experimentation. Moreover, the ability to use modeling to predict biomolecular structure lays the foundation for the subsequent design of biomolecules. Historically, the problem has been that most modeling software presents a tradeoff between being general purpose (in being able to model systems at high/atomic resolution) but limited in scope (i.e., only explores a small fraction conformational space around the initial structure). Recently, however, Stanford University scientists have developed an algorithm &#8211; implemented in a modeling program known as MOSAICS (Methodologies for Optimization and SAmpling In Computational Studies) &#8211; that achieves nanoscale modeling at the resolution required without being limited by the scope/size dilemma. In addition, the researchers successfully modeled &#8211; and benchmarked the new computation modeling technique with &#8211; RNA-based nanostructures.http://phys.org/news/2012-03-miniscule-high-resolution-nanoscale-biomolecules.html
Bio & Medicine Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:40:01 EDTnews250772901Through simple system studies, researchers are unearthing a new quantum state of matterResearchers at the University of Pittsburgh have made advances in better understanding correlated quantum matter that could change technology as we know it, according to a study published in the Nov. 20 edition of Nature.http://phys.org/news/2011-11-simple-unearthing-quantum-state.html
Quantum Physics Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:32:20 EDTnews241115438Physicists to develop new way of electronic computingThe University of California, Riverside has received a $1.85 million grant to develop a new way of computing that is beyond the scope of conventional silicon electronics.http://phys.org/news/2011-10-physicists-electronic.html
General Physics Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:54:10 EDTnews237041643Structural consequences of nanolithography(PhysOrg.com) -- Users from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Center for Nanophase Materials Science, working with the X-Ray Microscopy Group, have discovered structural effects accompanying the nanoscale lithography of ferroelectric polarization domains. The results shed new light on the physics of structural changes induced during this model nanoscale lithographic process.http://phys.org/news/2011-08-consequences-nanolithography.html
Nanophysics Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:30:01 EDTnews232278203Transporting spatially entangled photons through an optical fiber(PhysOrg.com) -- "Spatially entangled photons is a hot topic in quantum information science, and optical fibers are the cornerstone of our communication society," Wolfgang Loffler tells PhysOrg.com. "So far, though, no one that we know of has demonstrated that you can use a fiber to transport a photon entangled in its spatial degree of freedom."http://phys.org/news/2011-06-spatially-entangled-photons-optical-fiber.html
Quantum Physics Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:00:02 EDTnews228632567Making complex fluids look simpleAn international research team has successfully developed a widely applicable method for discovering the physical foundations of complex fluids for the first time. Researchers at the University of Vienna and University of Rome have developed a microscopic theory that describes the interactions between the various components of a complex polymer mixture. This approach has now been experimentally proven by physicists from Julich, who conducted neutron scattering experiments in Grenoble. The results have been published in the June issue of Physical Review Letters.http://phys.org/news/2011-06-complex-fluids-simple.html
Soft Matter Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:37:48 EDTnews226139855The search serpent: The next wave in roboticsHow does one design a robot that maneuvers in three dimensions and navigates all manner of terrain? Those are the main challenges that Howie Choset at Carnegie Mellon University is attempting to tackle.http://phys.org/news/2011-05-serpent-robotics.html
Robotics Tue, 17 May 2011 09:56:04 EDTnews224844920